Bupleurum subovatum (Link ex Sprengel)
False Thorow Wax
NOMENCLATURE
Bupleurum : see B. baldense.
subovatum : not eggshaped, ref. to leaves.
Thorow-wax: see. B. rotundifolium.
PREVIOUS NAMES: B. lancifolium auct., non Hornem.
Acta Natura (ITA) Picture Link to Bupleurum subovatum
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE: erect glabourous, glaucous annual. STEMS : hollow smooth, purple tinged. H: 30cm.
UMBELS : 2-3 smooth, subequal rays & peduncles 1cm. Terminal & lateral hermaphrodite.
LEAVES : 2-5cm, simple, eliptic-ovate, x 3 as long as wide, apiculate, cartilaginous
margin, perfoliate. Veins numerous, slender, radiating from base, anastomosing near
margin, connected by slender cross-veins.
BRACTS : absent. Bracteoles 5, 5-12 mm, unequal, oblancolate to ovate, acuminate, patent
in flower, connivent in fruit, shortly connate at base, venation similar to that of the
leaf. Cotyledons : tapered at base, without petiole.
FLOWERS : yellow, hermaph sepals styles form a stylopodium. Fl.6-10.
FRUIT : 4-4.5mm, strongly tuberculate, tubercules develop after flring, and grow as fruit
matures. Pruinose, laterally compressed. Commisure broad. Mericarps with slender,
prominent ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae small. Pedicels 1 mm. Styles 0.2-0.3mm,
< than stylopodiurn, stigma truncate. 2n=16.
HABITAT : casual in gardens, disturbed ground.
DISTRIBUTION : herbarium escape 1870, then introduced 1950s with
bird seed, chicken feed. Native to S. Europe, C. Asia, N.W.Africa.
BSBI Distribution Map for Bupleurum subovatum (UK)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002